British actress Ophelia Lovibond has kicked off 2026 with the most joyous of news, announcing the arrival of her first child with husband Henry Pettigrew. The couple welcomed their newborn on New Year's Eve 2025, marking a perfect end to the year.
A Joyful Instagram Announcement
The 39-year-old star, celebrated for her roles in Minx and Elementary, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share her happiness with the world. She posted a series of tender selfies where she beams at the camera, her newborn baby sleeping peacefully on her chest.
In her caption, Lovibond confirmed she had ended the year by becoming a mother. She chose to keep her baby's sex and name private for now, writing: 'A very special year ✨✨ #thankyou2025 #sweettthing #happynewyears #nye2025'.
Fans and famous friends were quick to flood the comments with congratulations. Dee O'Leary, wife of presenter Dermot O'Leary, responded with a string of heart emojis, while singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor wrote: ‘Woo! Congratulations! Happy news xxxx’.
A Love Story Forged On Stage
The birth of their child comes three years after Ophelia and Henry married, capping off a romance that began in the theatre. The pair first met and fell for each other in 2015 while playing lovers in Lucy Prebble’s play The Effect.
Recalling their instant connection, Ophelia once admitted: 'It was quite intense - the characters in the play fall in love. We just knew.' Despite being in a relationship with actor Tom Hughes at the time, her bond with Pettigrew proved undeniable, and they eventually became a couple.
Henry proposed in 2021, leaving Ophelia 'over the moon'. They tied the knot the following year in a 'dream wedding' at London’s historic Wilton’s Music Hall, surrounded by wildflowers and serenaded by a gospel choir performing Stevie Wonder.
Flourishing Careers and Future Plans
Professionally, both actors have seen significant success. Lovibond's recent credits include leading the feminist comedy Minx and portraying Carrie Johnson in the pandemic drama This England. She also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Carina in Guardians of the Galaxy.
Henry Pettigrew is best known for his portrayal of astronaut Neil Armstrong in Netflix's The Crown. The couple's journey into parenthood adds a new, exciting chapter to their lives together, following seven years of dating and a fairytale wedding.
Ophelia had first revealed her pregnancy in June 2025 with a striking black-and-white beach photo, captioning it simply: 'Baby on the way!' The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from her industry peers, setting the stage for this latest happy revelation.
